Humboldt
County Task Force Receives Funds From The DEA And IRS In Drug Case

JUL 19--In
a presentation today at the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF)
offices in Eureka, DEA San Francisco Field Division Group Supervisor
Michael Delaney and Kenneth J. Hines, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge
of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Oakland Field Office, presented a
check for $123,982 to Eureka Police Chief Dave Douglas and Humboldt
County Sheriff Gary Philp. The (HCDTF) received a check from the IRS-Criminal
Investigation Asset Forfeiture Fund that represented funds from seized
and sold property from a Hydesville man who was involved in the cultivation
of marijuana.

The check presented
to the task force represents proceeds from property seized and forfeited
from Brenden Lewis that was involved
in illegal marijuana cultivation. Lewis agreed to forfeit the property
to the United States to be disposed of by the IRS. On July 12, 1999,
DEA and HCDTF Agents executed a search warrant at Lewis’ property
located in an area of southern Humboldt County known as Woods Ranch Road,
near Redway.
The Agents found that a crop of marijuana plants, estimated to exceed
2,000 in number, had been cultivated and recently harvested on the
property. The property also contained several buildings. Some
of the buildings
appeared to be constructed solely for the purpose of indoor marijuana
cultivation.

IRS ASAC Hines stated “The combined efforts of the officers assigned
to this task force are an example of what law enforcement can do when
agencies work together. These funds will be put to good use by law
enforcement in Humboldt County.”

According to DEA Acting Special
Agent in Charge Greg Sullivan “The
assets removed from drug traffickers can now be used to strengthen law
enforcement efforts in the area. The DEA looks forward to continuing
the strong partnerships it has developed with the Task Force members
in Humboldt County.”

Agencies participating in
the HCDTF include the Humboldt County Sheriff’s
Department, the Eureka Police Department, the California Bureau of Narcotic
Enforcement the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS-Criminal Investigation.